Student. Graduate. Changemaker.

Non-traditional, full-time student. Mother of three. Paralegal. Licensed real-estate agent. Founder and CEO of Harriet’s Liberation Society.  

Stacy Berry is a full-fledged, multi-hyphenate. 

And as of May 15, 2026, she added Metropolitan State University of Denver graduate to the list.  

Berry and I met via Microsoft Teams one spring afternoon to talk about her student experience as she prepared to complete her final semester at MSU Denver. Sunlight pours through a nearby window, spotlighting a container of deep-fried green beans sitting on the table; Berry offers a quick apology for eating, explaining that she’s multitasking on her lunch break.  

It comes as no surprise that Berry needs to multitask given her responsibilities and achievements. I wonder aloud how she has time for anything. “A lot of people say that,” says Berry. “They’re like, dang, you’re superwoman.” 

Berry started out on her higher education expedition as a Human Services major. Realizing that it wasn’t quite the right fit, she branched out, taking a variety of wellness classes and the first course offered by the Affordable Housing Institute. The University’s Individualized Degree Program helped wrap those interests into a Transitional Strategies in Wellness and Housing major and a Human Services minor. 

Sara Shumate, Ph.D., director of the Center for Individualized Learning, says IDP enables students like Berry who have innovative ideas and/or changed direction multiple times through their college careers to design meaningful majors and minors, while paving an efficient path to graduation. 

“IDP is able to tailor educational experiences to suit most students’ needs,” says Shumate, noting that the flexibility of the program is vital to student retention and completion. “We work closely with academic departments to ensure that students are learning the skills and earning the credentials they need to be successful in their future endeavors.” 

Part of the process requires students to submit a proposal that includes a degree plan and a rationale essay. 

“It was a lot of pressure,” says Berry. “I was so excited when my proposal got approved.” 

Throughout her time at MSU Denver, Berry has had awesome professors supporting her academic and professional goals, and access to life-changing opportunities, like exploring the health care systems in Edinburgh, London and Paris through the University’s study abroad program; connecting with affordable housing advocates in the community; and acting as an Affordable Housing Institute Ambassador.  

Throughout it all, scholarships established by generous donors helped make Berry’s journey possible. One deeply impactful scholarship she received was the Doris Buffett Independence Scholar Grant, which supports survivors of intimate partner abuse.  

The award aligned with Berry’s work as founder and CEO of Harriet’s Liberation Society, where she provides resources, including housing assistance, and guidance for women wanting to leave abusive relationships.  

“Housing insecurity is a big reason why a lot of women stay in those abusive relationships,” says Berry. “That’s why the affordable housing piece [of my degree] was so important to me.” 

Berry’s dream is to put all of the knowledge she gained from her degree program into her organization, describing it as her passion and purpose. 

“[During my time at MSU Denver] my purpose pivoted from being a therapist to being a resource and support for those women,” says Berry. “I want to create systems for them and their children to be liberated and hold the keys to their freedom.”  

“I’m ready to keep creating change in the world, and I couldn’t be more excited!”  

As Berry’s chapter as an MSU Denver student comes to a close, for other Roadrunners, it is only just beginning. Make a gift supporting students like Stacy today!